New Zealand: Fluoridation of drinking water supplies will be implemented across New Zealand after an amendment bill was passed five years after it was first proposed. This will ensure that community water fluoridation is implemented in a consistent manner across the country, based on its well-established health benefits.

Dr. Ayesha Verrall, Associate Health Minister, said she was proud of the bill, which would reduce the pain and suffering caused by dental decay while also providing a consistent fluoridation approach across the country. On Tuesday evening, the bill passed its third and final reading after a chorus of support from MPs of almost every political persuasion. A total of USD8.3 million, plus an additional USD3 million per year, will be available to help local governments with fluoridation-related capital projects.

Currently, territorial authorities are in charge of decisions about fluoridating drinking water supplies, and fluoridation affects roughly half of the population. Fluoridated drinking water is currently available to 2.3 million people, or just under half of New Zealand's population. Children and adults living in areas with water fluoridation have significantly lower rates of tooth decay than those living in non-fluoridated areas, according to more than 60 years of international and local studies. The National government proposed a bill in 2016 to transfer fluoridation responsibility from local governments to district health boards.

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